May 19, 2026

APPLE BREAD PUDDING WITH BRANDY SAUCE, A WEDDING AND GRADUATION


GOOD MORNING LOVES....

Today, I am bringing you Number two recipe for Norma's bread pudding!
This special request dessert from her cafe, is all about apples and brandy.....
but before, we talk about dessert, I thought I would share a few
scenes from the wedding and the college graduation celebration.....



The Friday before the wedding, it was a dark and stormy day down
in New Braunfels.....but God had the sun shining and the clouds floating
overhead as this beautiful couple said their vows....



Everything and everyone looked beautiful..especially the wedding party
and the bride and groom were glowing with happiness...



We enjoyed visiting with friends and family and dined
on a delicious Texas style barbecue.....



Our granddaughter was the Matron of Honor



I can tell you, the darling and I were so honored to be guests
of our beautiful Amelia and her handsome groom, Colin...



We hosted a celebratory college graduation dinner
for our grandson...
what a fantastic achievement in his young life....



I was thrilled we accomplished this gathering as they
all have such busy lives these days....



Congratulations to our Noah for continuing your higher education....
well done!



The garden is in bloom and looking so beautiful...
my Rose of Sharon is blooming in beautiful shades of pink



And how gorgeous our Texas Vitex is looking right now....

Now, let's turn our attention to dessert....
when fall rolls around, I love to think about apples....
you may want to save this special treat for your holiday gatherings.....

APPLE BREAD PUDDING
3 1/2 cups sugar
1 quart milk
1 quart water
12 eggs, beaten
1 t. salt
1 T. vanilla
1 T. cinnamon
1 t. nutmeg
1 stick butter, melted
6-8 cups french bread, cubed
3 cups chopped apples
1 cup pecans, chopped


Combine the sugar, milk and water in a bowl, mix well.
Add the eggs, salt, vanilla, cinnamon and butter, Mix well.

Stir in bread cubes, apples and pecans,
Let stand until liquid is absorbed.
Spoon into a 9 x 13 baking dish.
Bake at 350 for 35-40 minutes,
Serve with Brandy Sauce

BRANDY SAUCE
4 EGGS
1/4 CUP APPLE BRANDY
2 CUPS DARK BROWN SUGAR
1 CUP BUTTER, MELTED

Combine the eggs and flavoring in a food processor.
Process until smooth and well blended.
Add brown sugar and butter.
process until smooth.

May 14, 2026

COMING TO ESTELLE'S FOR SUMMER

 

The sunny skies and lush landscapes of summer call for bright,
airy spaces and lively decor bursting with fresh blooms...
Here are a few highlights as to what Estelle's will be sharing
with all you summer lovers in upcoming posts....



Style inspiration for a Summer Americana tablescape



A sweet cottage core centerpiece inspired by the
white Magnolia's of Mississippi..
using things you have on hand and will create
a focal point on your table with a bit of a farmhouse vibe....



We will be hosting an impromptu garden party
that will showcase summertime foods in
a relaxed and casual setting..
you will want to linger and sip on your lemonade for this one....


Warm balmy evenings and sunny days call for food, fun
and cocktails....have I got a delicious summertime mocktail
prepared for you...it's light, low on sugar and so beautiful
and delicious....
I call it my Raspberry Coconut Smash...

So grab your sun hat, put on that pretty garden dress
and let's make it a great summer.....










May 11, 2026

NORMA'S FAMOUS BREAD PUDDING


Welcome back to Estelle's Kindred Spirits....
as promised, I am sharing my treasured Bread Pudding
recipes that were the speciality of Norma's!
It was tradition to reserve large pans of her
scrumptious puddings and sauces
on our family beach trips....the grandchildren
still talk about how wonderful those days were and
remember those fabulous ocean side dinners.....



Norma was a very special person who was gracious enough
to share her talents in the kitchen and hospitality industry so
that we all could achieve greatness in our own kitchens....
I  will bring you other recipes that you will want to try
and will promise to bring your family to gather around the dinner table....




This sauce should be made in a blender
in order to achieve a smooth consistency....


This will be first in the Bread Pudding series so
stay tuned for a few more of her most requested speciality desserts!



May 5, 2026

DESSERTS ALWAYS ARE IN DEMAND

 Good Morning Loves.....
I was doing a bit of reminiscing the other day..
I think when you reach a certain age,
 that happens  often....

I was remembering Norma who owned her own cafe

It was a hot spot for business lunches, a morning stop for coffee
and a slice of her poppy seed bread, which was
a popular request among her customers.
The poppy seed bread is still in demand.....
Her food was in such demand, she opened two
more locations successfully!

Now my personal favorite was her chicken salad followed
with a serving of her bread pudding!!
If you are a bread pudding connoisseur 
then I will tell you that Norma's was
the best ever....not to mention her custard sauce....

The holidays featured her
Apple Bread Pudding with Brown Sauce..laced with Apple Brandy

Fiesta Bread Pudding with Orange Sauce...
this recipe uses Cuban Bread and Fruit Cocktail

and
Lemon Poppy Seed Bread  pudding with Lemon Sauce

I have these original recipes, so if you are interested in one of her
bread pudding recipes, leave a comment and I will gladly publish.


When I think of Norma's I remember the good times
and dab away a few happy tears....
Norma also was in the catering business
and had her helpers dress in Civil War costumes
for one of the city's historic events...she was fun like that..
No one could master the art of looking like Scarlett,
Mammy or Prissy.....



Norma's was a family affair...
her daughters often helped her prepare the foods,
her Daddy kept the financials straight and
they held a strong bond for family...